The Atlanta Hawks are one of the least talented teams in the NBA. The centerpiece of this team is Dikembe Mutombo, who scored 11.5 ppg, pulled down 14.1 rebounds per game, and blocked 3.28 shots per contest. At guard the Hawks feature young point guard Jason Terry (8.1 ppg) and the veteran Jim Jackson (team leading 16.7 ppg). Up front, Chris Crawford is unproven, but Alan Henderson (13.2 ppg, 7 rpg) is a sold player. Off the bench, the Hawks have the rookie DerMarr Johnson, who has much learning to do before he masters the NBA game. Dion Glover, Roshown McLeod (7.2 ppg), and C Lorenzen Wright (6 ppg) bring size, if little else, to the team.
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The Charlotte Hornets lost their best player in the offseason when Eddie Jones was shipped to the Miami Heat in a big trade. They also lost another strong starter in Anthony Mason. However, this Hornets team is not one who is looking to rebuild. They have the biggest frontcourt in the East, with Derrick Colemen (16.7 ppg, 8.5 rpg), P.J. Brown (7.5 rpg), and Elden Campbell (12.7 ppg, 7.6 rpg). This gives them the advantage against many of the smaller teams in the East such as the Knicks, Magic, and Mourning-less Miami Heat. The team moved Jamal Mashburn to the shooting guard spot. With Miami last year, Mashburn contributed 17.5 ppg and 3.9 assists per contest. Point guard David Wesley scored 13.6 for Charlotte last season. Off the bench, the Hornets bring Baron Davis, who was the 3rd pick in the draft of 1999. Jamaal Magloire, a rookie out of the University of Kentucky, brings more size to the Hornets. They also have experience in Otis Thorpe and Hersey Hawkins, who rejoins the team after an extended period with other NBA clubs.
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The Chicago Bulls are rebuilding around coach Tim Floyd and star in the making Elton Brand. Brand put up huge numbers as a rookie in 1999-2000, scoring over 20 points and collecting over 10 rebounds a game despite constant pressure by opponents to stop him. Now there are several other players who can make an impact. Rookies Jamal Crawford (Michigan) and Marcus Fizer (Iowa State) should make this team a better team in the future, but they will have to learn on the run. The signing of Ron Mercer gives the team a proven scorer who can run their backcourt effectively. Mercer, a former star at Kentucky, can make plays on offense, although defensively he is lacking. Ron Artest, a second year man out of St. John's, also has the potential to become a solid pro. After this players, the Bulls have very little.
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The Cleveland Cavaliers have finally said farewell to the troublesome Shawn Kemp, who was shipped to Portland in the offseason. In his absence, the team will rely on a new system, this one with young players in an uptempo style. Point guard Andre Miller inherits the role of team leader. Last season he displayed poise beyond his years and also contributed, scoring 11.1 points per game and adding 5.8 assists. Wesley Person, the gunner from Auburn, teams with Miller to form a young and talented backcourt. Up front, the Cavs will rely on the injury prone Zydrunas Ilgauskas to score points and provide defense. In 1997-1998, he scored 13.9 points per game and was a budding star. Since then he has missed games due to injuries. Lamond Murray, once a dynamic scorer for Cal, scored 15.9 points per game last season and has shown good scoring ability. Robert Traylor, a product of the University of Michigan, brings a big body to bang with power forwards in the physical East. Off the bench, Chris Gatling, Clarence Weatherspoon, and rookie Chris Mihm bring size to the Cavaliers. This team could surprise in the East.
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The Detroit Pistons are undergoing a rebuilding process. Their star, Grant Hill, left this offseason. Joining Hill on the departures list was Lindsey Hunter, another of the club's starters from last year. Now Jerry Stackhouse becomes the go to player. Stackhouse scored 23.6 points per game and teamed with Hill to become one of the best tandems in the league. Now he will have to do it alone. Mateen Cleaves (12.1 ppg, 6.9 apg at Michigan State) will have to step up as a rookie for the Pistons to compete. Cedric Ceballos (16.6 ppg) is still a solid scorer and will add a lot to this young team offensively. Jerome Williams and Ben Wallace are both strong rebounders but lack the ability to score. Poing guard Chucky Atkins must prove he can lead the team every game. Off the bench, John Wallace brings an offensive mentality. Dana Barros can stroke the 3 ball and Billy Owens still can produce for this team desperately needed a spark.
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The Indiana Pacers have retooled after an impressive Finals run in the 2000 playoffs. The team lost Mark Jackson, Chris Mullin, Dale Davis, and Rik Smits (retirement), but still looks to be a contender in the East. The backcourt will be the best in the conference, with Reggie Miller (18.1 ppg) and the reborn Jalen Rose (18.2 ppg), who will finally get his chance to be a point guard in the NBA. Sam Perkins becomes the new center, which should certainly prove interesting. Austin Croshere and the young Jermaine O'Neal make up the Pacers frontcourt alongside Perkins. This duo has talent but so far only Croshere (10.3 ppg) has shown signs that he has become a proven NBA commodity. Off the bench the Pacers are relying on Travis Best, Al Harrington, and Jonathan Bender to provide the team with quickness. Derrick McKey returns for another season with the team, and he brings with him some solid defense.
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The Milwaukee Bucks, because of their near upset of the Indiana Pacers in the 2000 playoffs, are one of the teams picked to finish near the top of the Central Division. This team is loaded with offensive weapons. Its top 3 players can run with any 3 in the game. Ray Allen (22.1 ppg), Glenn Robinson (20.9 ppg), and Sam Cassell (18.6 ppg) are among the top scorers at their respective positions. The trio can carry the club on most nights. C Ervin Johnson, although he does not score much, is a defensive presence. Jason Caffey and Scott Williams are good rebounders and have experience from playing with Chicago in the 1990's. Tim Thomas, who scored 11.8 ppg last season, is one of the top 6th men in the league. He can score, rebound, defend, and is an excellent passer. A key to this team could be the impact that former Piston Lindsey Hunter has, considering the fact that he brings 12.7 ppg to the table as well as solid defense and a good stroke from behind the arc.
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The Toronto Raptors are not simply a high flying team powered by one man, Vince Carter. They have several strong players, despite the loss of Tracy McGrady to Eastern Conference rival Orlando. Carter (25.7 ppg) is already one of the elite players in the NBA. He has become a terrific scorer and is the most explosive above the rim player in the league today. Comparisions to Michael Jordan are premature and unfair, but this former Tar Heel is on his way. Mark Jackson, signed as a free agent from Indiana, brings toughness and much needed experience to this team. He and Carter could combine for some big numbers in the points/assists columns. Charles Oakley and Antonio Davis are two of the best defending big men in the league. Oakley also has a jump shot that is accurate. Corliss Williamson, acquired from Sacramento, helps offset the loss of McGrady. He averaged 10 points per game last season but has scored as much as 16 per game in his career. The Raptors have a lot of experience on their deep bench. Kevin Willis, Muggsy Bogues, and Dell Curry have played in countless playoff games, while rookie Morris Peterson won a championship with the Michigan State Spartans in the NCAA.
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